Rahul Gandhi Sponsors Education of 22 Shelling-Hit Children in J&K’s Poonch

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has come forward to sponsor the education of 22 children affected by cross-border shelling in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. These children, mostly from the border village of Balakote, have seen not just displacement and trauma, but also long disruptions in their schooling due to violence along the Line

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has come forward to sponsor the education of 22 children affected by cross-border shelling in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. These children, mostly from the border village of Balakote, have seen not just displacement and trauma, but also long disruptions in their schooling due to violence along the Line of Control. With this move, Rahul Gandhi has taken a personal initiative to ensure that these children don’t lose out on basic education and future opportunities.

I felt the need to write about this not because it’s a political gesture, but because it touches on a bigger issue—how conflict disrupts children’s lives in border areas. Education often becomes the first casualty in such regions. Many of us sitting in safe cities can’t even imagine what it feels like to grow up hearing gunfire and seeing your school closed down for weeks. So when someone steps in to help such kids continue their studies, it goes beyond charity—it’s a message of hope. Highlighting these efforts also reminds us that there are many children who still need similar support but continue to remain invisible to the system.

Who Are the Beneficiaries?

The 22 children belong to families that live in villages near the LoC in the Balakote sector. These areas frequently face Pakistani shelling, causing damage to homes, schools, and civilian life. The students belong to low-income families who can barely make ends meet, especially during times when cross-border tensions flare up.

Some of the children have even lost parents or family members in shelling incidents, and others have had to shift houses multiple times. With Rahul Gandhi’s support, these children will now have access to proper schooling, uniforms, books, and hostel facilities where needed.

How Did This Support Come About?

During his recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Rahul Gandhi met several families affected by border violence. He spoke to children in Poonch and heard their personal stories. Moved by their situation, he immediately decided to bear the educational expenses of the affected children.

He also directed local Congress workers and Youth Congress members to identify the most vulnerable kids and make sure their educational needs are met in a structured manner. The children are expected to be enrolled in private or government schools, depending on individual needs.

Local Response and Support

The initiative has received appreciation from local residents and civil society groups. In a place like Poonch, where educational support often gets lost between border politics and bureaucratic delays, even a small step like this is a big relief for the families.

Teachers in the region have said that this move could inspire more people—especially those with influence or resources—to step forward and support students in such conflict-hit zones.

What This Means for Border Education

Rahul Gandhi’s gesture sheds light on a bigger issue: the education gap in conflict zones. Border villages often lack proper infrastructure like:

Safe school buildings
Qualified teachers willing to stay
Regular classes without fear of shelling
Counselling or emotional support for traumatised kids

Unless these gaps are addressed systematically, children from such areas will always lag behind. Political leaders, NGOs, and local governments need to prioritise education as a right, even in disturbed regions. Sponsorships like these are a good start, but the system needs a long-term solution.

Education and Employment Can Transform Society: Dinesh Gundu Rao Highlights the Way Forward

During a recent public address in Mangaluru, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed that education and employment are two powerful tools that can shape the future of any society. He pointed out that when people are educated and have meaningful jobs, they can rise above social divisions, poverty, and other long-standing issues. His statement came while addressing students and faculty at a function organised at Srinivas University, where he also touched on the importance of knowledge-driven growth.

I felt the need to write about this because it’s rare to hear such a strong political focus on the link between education, employment and overall societal transformation. We often hear about schemes, budgets and infrastructure, but rarely is the bigger picture discussed—how these two sectors can change the life of a common person. This topic matters to all of us, especially the youth, who are navigating a fast-changing job market while also dealing with rising academic pressure. By writing about this, I hope more people start thinking seriously about how education is not just about degrees, and employment is not just about money—it’s about dignity, stability and progress.

Why Education and Employment Matter Together

Education and employment are often treated as separate issues, but in reality, they go hand-in-hand. Education gives people the ability to think, create and contribute. Employment gives them the opportunity to apply what they know, support their families, and be part of the economy. According to Dinesh Gundu Rao, these two pillars must be developed together if we want a fairer and more productive society.

He stressed that:

Lack of access to education pushes people into poverty.
Unemployment leads to frustration, crime, and brain drain.
A society that fails to create job-ready youth will always remain unequal.

This is why investing in schools, colleges, and job-oriented courses is not just a policy decision—it’s a moral responsibility.

Government’s Role in Creating Equal Opportunities

During the event, Rao mentioned that governments should focus not only on building schools and colleges but also on ensuring the quality of education. He said students from rural areas often struggle because they don’t have the same access to English-medium teaching or computer labs as those in urban areas. This kind of inequality reflects in the job market too, where rural youth get fewer chances.

He also pointed out that:

Many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed because they are not industry-ready.
There is a big gap between what is taught in classrooms and what the job market demands.
Career counselling and vocational training should start at the school level.

According to him, if we want to see real change, we need long-term thinking and serious government commitment—not just one-time policies or election promises.

Importance of Social Harmony for Progress

One of the key messages Rao delivered was about unity. He said education should be a tool to unite people and not divide them. The minister raised concern about how communalism and polarisation are slowly taking attention away from important issues like job creation and educational reform.

He added that:

When youth are unemployed, they are more vulnerable to divisive ideologies.
Education can help people develop critical thinking and tolerance.
A strong education and employment ecosystem reduces dependence on populist politics.

He urged young people to stay informed, ask questions, and focus on real-life issues rather than distractions.